With reference to ‘Astrosat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.
- 2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
Statement 2 is incorrect. Astrosat’s actual mass is approximately 1513 kg (not 2000 kg), and it is placed in a low-Earth orbit at an altitude of about 650 km (not 1650 km).
Since both statements are incorrect, the correct option is D.
Astrosat is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory. Other countries/agencies besides USA and Russia have also launched similar observatories. Astrosat’s orbital parameters (mass and altitude) stated in the statement are incorrect.